A well-known Kwara traditional practitioner and activist, Adegbola Abdulazeez, also recognized as Talolorun (Who is God), has been remanded in custody by a magistrate court in Ilorin, Kwara State’s capital. Abdulazeez was accused of inciting unrest by reportedly “calling on other traditional and idol worshippers to gather in Ilorin on August 20, 2023”, among other claims.
Prominent human rights activist, Omoyele Sowore, on Saturday revealed that he had secured a copy of the charge sheet which he described as “bogus and illegally used to target and detain Abdulazeez Tani Olohun.” He further suggested that Olohun was being unfairly targeted due to his vocal criticisms of some individuals in Ilorin, Kwara State.
Sowore shared the charge sheet on his X (formerly Twitter) account with the hashtag #FreeTaniOlorun Now, demanding Olohun’s immediate release and pointing out the lack of police investigation before his arrest.
Sowore argued, “The Nigeria Police Force acted unprofessionally by arresting and prosecuting the activist. They must withdraw these charges and release him immediately. These are civil complaints at best. #FreeTaniolohun NOW! Otogee! #RevolutionNow.”
The charge sheet details offenses such as “Criminal Conspiracy, Insulting Or Exciting Contempt Of Religious Creed, Criminal Defamation And Inciting Disturbance Contrary to Section 97, 210, 392 and 114 Of Penal Code Law.”
The charges allege that Abdulazeez blasphemed the Islamic religion, burned the Qur’an, defamed certain Islamic scholars in Ilorin, and threatened to incite war by inviting traditional and idol worshippers to gather in Ilorin.
Talolorun was reportedly arrested in Ibadan on August 16 and transferred to a police station in Ilorin, according to The PUNCH. The case appears to be linked to ongoing religious controversies in the state, with the Emir of Ilorin, Ibrahim Sulu Gambari, and some Islamic groups insisting that the Isese festival should not take place in the city.
SOURCE: Sahara Reporters
IMAGE: NaijaNews
